Longhorn Beetle
This surface pattern set is a response to an “Opulent Creepy Crawlies” trend, which explores the theme of insects and studies their ornate detailing. This often results in crafting these bugs into mirror imagery and kaleidoscopic arrangements.
This surface pattern is an independent ‘Karolful.Designs’ design and is available for purchase and/or licence through Adobe Stock. Please follow this LINK to view the entire “Entomology” collection.
Alternatively, please get in touch to discuss custom arrangements that suit your project’s needs.
Collection Overview
The set of surface patterns showcased here are part of a wider series called “Entomology” that encompasses a wider range of designs that depict six different species of beetle.
Overall, this series is unified by its colour palette, and the usage of the same techniques. Patterns within a given set depict a specific insect, exploring various colour-ways and arrangements. Each set also includes a standalone illustration of that species of beetle.
Colour Palette
The PANTONE TCX colours chosen here are inspired by palettes from Kidspattern. The two main base colours for this set of surface patterns are both shades of yellow: a radiant ‘Aspen Gold’ and a warm ‘Golden Rod’. These are meant to evoke the opulence of golden scarabs from ancient Egypt.
To provide a contrasting counterweight a ‘Jet Set’ black was aded. Lastly, to round out the palette a sage green shade was picked, ‘Chinois Green’. This last addition offers a flavourful modern twist.
Inspiration
Insects have wide range of impacts on the planet’s ecosystem. Due to this important role in our lives, iconography that depicts them has become thoroughly embedded in human culture, from arts and crafts to mythology and religion.
The beetle represents hard work, devotion, persistence, as well as cooperation and solidarity.Many insects are valued simply for their beauty. Insect imagery is commonly celebrated in jewellery, textiles, and ceramics.
Elements Development
The depiction of the insects was stylised to highlight their decorative aspects. The original elements were fully vectorised and use a total of 4 colours. However, they can also be easily simplified into 2 colour versions. In this set you can select a version that best suits your project.
A full illustrations set is available to licence HERE.
Set Development
I selected each colour from the palette as a background and then developed a corresponding arrangement. Together, these patterns create a matching set that can be used across a plethora of potential products whilst retaining a consistent look. This beetle collection is ready to go and easy to use.
This surface pattern offers a bold design, in which the beetles are arranged close together in a regular mosaic repeat.
It features a contrasting duo of black and light yellow beetles. The latter partially blends in with the gold background producing a decorative texture which adds to the design’s sense of dimensionality. This compelling surface print employs a total of 3 Pantones.
Click HERE to licence this design.
In this version, the insects are arranged close together in a vertical, half-drop repeat. Their long antennae form stripy ovals, which add a geometric and slightly abstract touch to this surface pattern.
The beetles are simplified and recoloured in a monochrome yellow palette. The overall result is a great supporting print, which uses the total of only 2 Pantones.
Click HERE to licence this design.
Hero Print
In this surface pattern, the beetles are arranged in an intricate, mirrored, mosaic composition. The insect’s long antennae form an eye-catching rhythm of cylindrical, striped ovals. The result is a striking and highly ornamental checked design.
This rich and detailed version uses the total of 4 Pantones, thus incorporating the full scope of the palette, making it a perfect hero print.
Click HERE to licence this design.
In this surface pattern, the beetles are linked together, forming an intricate golden chain. They float upwards and downwards, diagonally across the elegant black background.
This offers not only a striking colour-way but also a fabulously luxurious mood, despite using merely 2 Pantones to achieve it.
Click HERE to licence this design.
Placed atop a green background the elements are scattered in multiple directions. In contrast to the busyness of the other designs within the set, this surface pattern provides a more spacious solution.
The use of black and white forms a strong contrast, which makes this still a bold and rich print, despite using a total of only 3 Pantones.
Click HERE to licence this design.
Green and Gold
Lastly, this version has the beetles facing each other, arranged horizontally and repeated in a brick manner. Recoloured in a tint of gold, along with the sage green of the background this design offers an interesting colour combination.
The simplified oval of the long antennae has the carapaces encircled in striped shapes. This makes this decorative pattern quite geometrical and abstract in its nature.
Click HERE to licence this design.
Lastly, this set rounded out with a selection of basic, simplified patterns that use only the silhouettes of the longhorn beetle. These are easy to recolour and great for using in smaller sizes. For example, as a supporting or background print.
Click HERE to licence this set of designs.
“When I was a young boy, I used to gaze through the microscope of my father at the insects in amber that he kept in the house. And they were remarkably well preserved, morphologically just phenomenal.”
